The Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard James Harden became the first player known to ever post a 30-15-10 line without committing a single turnover in an overtime victory against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
The short-handed San Antonio Spurs, however, gave it their all and despite missing a number of key players, they managed to overcome a 10-point deficit in the final 2:12 of regulation to force overtime.
They eventually lost the game in overtime, but in all likelihood, would have won it in regulation were it not for the heroics of James Harden. The 2018 MVP put on an absolute clinic against San Antonio, scoring 30 points, dishing out 15 assists, and grabbing 14 rebounds in the victory.
The performance, statistically speaking, was historic and since the 1977-78 season when individual turnovers have only been tracked, no player has managed the feat.
That all-around dominance has been a staple of Harden’s since joining the Nets. While his scoring has decreased from the absurd levels he reached in Houston, he has averaged an NBA-best 11.1 assists per game since joining the Nets to go along with 8.4 rebounds per contest.
Watch how Harden made history below
The Brooklyn Nets team has also benefitted greatly from his contributions especially because they have lacked a full-strength side in quite some time.
Kevin Durant has missed 11 of Brooklyn’s last 12 games, but despite a rocky start, the Nets have now won nine of their past 10 with Harden at the helm.
It has put Harden, almost unthinkably, back into the MVP conversation. Known primarily for his exploits in isolation, Harden has adjusted to suit the needs of his new team by sacrificing his own scoring for the sake of his teammates.
The Nets are thriving as a result, and when Durant returns, they will be able to make a run at the title of best offense in NBA history.
Monday night’s NBA results
- Dallas Mavericks 130 – 124 Orlando Magic
- Indiana Pacers 114 – 130 Philadelphia 76ers
- Denver Nuggets 118 – 112 Chicago Bulls
- Utah Jazz 124 – 129 New Orleans Pelicans
- Brooklyn Nets 124 – 113 San Antonio Spurs (OT)
- Cleveland Cavaliers 101 – 90 Houston Rockets
- Charlotte Hornets 111-123 Portland Trail Blazers
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